Claims

Canadian building standards meant to guard against fires like London blaze Canadian building standards meant to guard against fires like London blaze Image

Claims

Canadian building standards meant to guard against fires like London blaze

TORONTO – Canadian building standards should theoretically prevent the sort of blaze that engulfed a London apartment tower earlier this week, but at least one expert says flouting those regulations can put people in serious danger. Exterior panelling known as cladding that was recently installed on the 24-storey Grenfell Tower is increasingly being cited as […]

By Jason Contant | June 16, 2017

4 min read

Loader truck operator who tested positive for cocaine not fired due to addiction: Supreme Court of Canada Loader truck operator who tested positive for cocaine not fired due to addiction: Supreme Court of Canada Image

Claims

Loader truck operator who tested positive for cocaine not fired due to addiction: Supreme Court of Canada

A coal mining company that fired an employee who tested positive for cocaine after an accident did not violate the Alberta Human Rights Act, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in a divided decision released Thursday. Court records indicate that Ian Stewart, then an employee of Elk Valley Coal Corporation, was operating a loader truck […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 16, 2017

4 min read

Number of lightning-related homeowners insurance claims in the U.S. up in 2016, but average cost for insurers down: I.I.I. Number of lightning-related homeowners insurance claims in the U.S. up in 2016, but average cost for insurers down: I.I.I. Image

Claims

Number of lightning-related homeowners insurance claims in the U.S. up in 2016, but average cost for insurers down: I.I.I.

The number of homeowners insurance claims from lightning strikes and electrical surges in the United States rose in 2016, compared with 2015, but the average cost that insurers paid on those claims fell, according to a new analysis by the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). The New York City-based I.I.I., a non-profit, communications organization supported by […]

By Canadian Underwriter | June 16, 2017

2 min read

Cladding may have helped spread London high rise fire, experts say Cladding may have helped spread London high rise fire, experts say Image

Claims

Cladding may have helped spread London high rise fire, experts say

LONDON – The official cause may not be known for months. The death toll is unclear – and rising. No one has said exactly where the fire started. But experts suspect recent renovations at the Grenfell Tower, including newly installed external cladding, played a tragic role in spreading the fire so quickly. A look at […]

By Jason Contant | June 15, 2017

4 min read